May Fete Parade to march through Palo Alto

Published May 1, 2014

The annual May Fete Parade will be held on Saturday from downtown Palo Alto to Heritage Park. This is the ninety-second annual parade, making it the oldest children’s parade in Northern California. Picture by the City of Palo Alto.

Palo Alto will host its 92nd annual May Fete Parade starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 at University Avenue and Emerson Street.

The May Fete Parade and Faire are popular events among the citizens of Palo Alto. The Parade is the oldest children’s parade in Northern California. This year’s theme for the event is “Let Me Be Your Neighbor,” according to parade event planner Ali Williams.

All of the public middle and high schools of Palo Alto are performing in the parade. During the parade, multiple groups will be marching through the streets, including the Viking Pep Band from Palo Alto High School. The Viking Pep Band will be playing the song “In the Stone” by Earth, Wind & Fire, according to band member and junior Andrew Lu.

“We’ve got tons of spirit when it comes to playing outside,” Lu said. “We’ll do yells and cheers, and we have the signature kick during the drum cadence.”

While Lu has participated in the Parade in past years for the marching band, he has also attended the event with his family when he was younger, according to Lu.

“It’s a really great community event [and] brings everyone in town together,” Lu said. “The groups are diverse, ranging from musicians to martial artists to middle schoolers who’ve built go-carts at school.”

During the parade, eight floats are going to compete for the Palo Alto Weekly Awards, along with clowns, stilt walkers, hula artists and other entertainers who will participate in the parade. Different schools, youth groups, dance teams and sports teams will also march in the parade, according to Williams.

“Numerous preschool groups and elementary schools are joining the fun to show school pride,” Williams said. “The parade kicks off with the motorcycle police and ends with the shiny fire engine.”

Along with those showing their spirit for the town, there will also be groups who are promoting their organization. The Palo Alto Children’s Theater will be promoting their upcoming performance and the Humane Society will be walking through the parade, showcasing local pets in need. Representatives from the Palo Alto Historical Association will also be riding in the antique cars from the Museum of American Heritage to celebrate its one hundredth anniversary.

The parade will end at around noon at Heritage Park, where the May Fete Faire will begin. At the park, all of the bands will perform as they arrive. The Faire will also have food trucks and games, according to Williams.

Williams stressed the importance of community building within the city.

“[The event is] a community event that celebrates all that we strive in Palo Alto,” Williams said. “What’s important is that it’s a place where people care and connect with each other to create a supportive community.”